SCOTTSDALE – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is telling consumers to immediately stop using Hydroxycut (Iovate Health Sciences Inc., of Oakville, Ontario). It has come to the attention of the FDA that some Hydroxycut products are associated with a number of serious liver injuries.  Hydroxycut products are dietary supplements  marketed for weight loss, as fat burners, energy-enhancers, low carbohydrate diet aids, and for water loss.  Iovate has agreed to recall Hydroxycut products from U.S. markets.

The FDA received 23 reports of serious health problems ranging from jaundice and elevated liver enzymes, both signs of potential liver injury, and to severe liver damage requiring liver transplantation. One death due to liver failure was reported to the FDA. Liver injury, while rare, was reported by patients at the doses recommended on Hydroxycut bottles. Symptoms of liver injury can include jaundice (the yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes) and dark brown urine. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, light-colored stools, excessive fatigue, weakness, stomach or abdominal pain, itching, and loss of appetite.

“The FDA urges consumers to stop using Hydroxycut products in order to avoid any undue risk”, said Linda Katz, M.D., interim chief medical officer of FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. “Adverse events are rare, but exist,” Katz says. “Consumers should consult a physician or other health care professional if they are experiencing symptoms possibly associated with these products.” Other health problems reported to the FDA include seizures; cardiovascular disorders; and rhabdomyolysi (a  type of muscle damage that can lead to other serious health problems such as kidney failure).